Throughout history, there have been many different ways in which cannabis has been enjoyed. Some of these methods have included: smoking the plant (the oldest and most common method that likely developed from casting the plant into fires,) topical preparations (first used in various polstices and topical spreads/balms by Emperor Shen Neng of China around 2,737 BCE!,) edible concoctions (used by many cultures for various ailments, rituals, or recreational use), and, most recently, infusion into drinks/teas and baked goods. Any way you look at it, cannabis has been used for quite a long time for its healing properties, as well as its effect on the mind.
So, why the recent trend in vaping? Why not just continue to do what’s been done that’s tried and true? There is a growing body of knowledge that says that smoke inhalation from cannabis is not harmful in the same way that smoke produced by cigarettes is. Recent studies have been unable to find a link between smoking cannabis and an increase in lung cancer, whereas that link clearly evident when it comes to smoking cigarettes. However, that doesn’t mean that smoking cannabis doesn’t have it’s harmful effects. Certain individuals are sensitive to smoke inhalation In fact, autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, are often aggravated by smoke inhalation of any kind (though not all people with Lupus will suffer increases in their symptoms or autoimmune flare-ups from smoking).
You may then ask, “Why not just eat it?” It’s a great question! Edibles are a great way to gain the benefits of cannabis for these users but there are quite a few downsides to edibles as well. First, ensuring accurate dosage is harder due to the process of preparation and the lack of stringent regulation in the cannabis space. Second, the time it takes for an individual to process and break down the various elements in cannabis in order to feel its effects vary from person to person, but usually take 45 minutes at a minimum to be noticed. This can be much too long for those suffering convulsions or extreme pain due to inflammation in the body. Third, digestion is not 100% efficient, so you won’t really be sure how much of the dose you took is actually making it into your system. Last, many cooking preparations only make use of one of the chemicals in the cannabis plant, THC, which strips away many of the other benefits derived from the other compounds found in cannabis.
Then there’s the newcomer of the bunch, vaping. Vaping cannabis plant material, waxes, budders, oils, and terpene blends can all be done quickly and easily, much in the same way one would smoke the plant. The material is delivered to the bloodstream quickly as would occur with smoking, however, there is no smoke! The heat added to these compounds is significantly less than the heat obtained from using a flame. The particles contained in these compounds become energetic and spread out into the air but are not combusted, as is done with flames. Vaporized particles are oil/water-based and do not contain the same carcinogens found in smoke produced by combustion techniques. This is extremely beneficial as it produces many, if not all, of the same compounds found in the plant (if the dry herb is used,) and delivers them into the bloodstream in about the same time smoking does, without the carcinogens produced by combustion (e.g. smoke and tar is eliminated).
While we don’t sell any cannabis products at Heaven Scent, we do sell flavors and strain-specific profiles that were derived from cannabis and will emulate the taste and modulated effects of various strains of cannabis. Check out our post on terpenes to understand how these tastes and smells are emulated. You can vape these by themselves for extra energy & other mood-enhancing effects, or purely to enjoy the taste. You can also add them to product you already use for your elevated experience and put yourself on Cloud 9, crafting your own custom experience. Our products are 100% USDA certified organic and contain no fillers or toxins of any kind. Here at Heaven Scent, our mission is to lift you up and never bring you down!
**Special Note** If you’re suffering from a disease or autoimmune condition, please check out our post on cannabinoids to better understand how using cannabinoids as a treatment may be right for you. As always, present this information to your doctor as this is not intended to replace any medical advice you are currently receiving.